Explosion kills OAP (From Warrington Guardian)

Explosion kills OAP

AN elderly Crewe woman has perished after her home went up in flames in a tragic accident at the weekend.

Beryl Palin, who celebrated her 76th birthday on New Year's Day, died at her semi-detached bungalow in Mulberry Road, Wistaston, on Saturday at around 1.30pm.

Investigators are probing the cause of the fire, but it is believed a deadly mixture of paint vapours exploded when Mrs Palin switched a light on.

The fire soon ripped through the pensioner's home, destroying the roof and gutting the inside of the bungalow.

Mrs Palin's daughter, Dianne Fletcher, 35, of Handforth Road, said: "It was a tragic accident that could have happened to anyone."

Fire crews from Crewe and Nantwich battled the blaze, which was well alight when they arrived. But Mrs Palin had died by the time emergency services had arrived.

Mrs Palin's elderly next-door neighbour, whose home was threatened by the blaze said: "I was evacuated out of the bungalow.

"Mrs Palin was a very quiet lady and very well liked. It is really upsetting and we are still trying to come to terms with it.

"Firefighters spread a tarpaulin over my part of the roof and that helped stop the fire spreading, they have since done tests in my loft to see if everything is ok."

The fire spewed burning debris onto the front and rear gardens and knocked out an alarm system linking up the neighbourhood's elderly residents with a warden's hut.

Police are not treating the blaze as suspicious and a joint investigation between Crewe CID and Cheshire Fire Service is now underway.

Crewe firefighter Jay Haag said: "The cause of the fire is still under investigation although we are looking at the possibility that white spirits were ignited."

Firefighters tackled the blaze using three hose reels, two main jets and breathing apparatus.

Mrs Fletcher said: "The police came to the conclusion that mum was going to do a bit of painting and the fumes from an open bottle of turps had built up in a shed at the back.

"When she turned the light on it ignited the vapours which exploded into flames. It was a tragic accident. But I am told she must have died instantly, so I suppose that is a blessing."

Mrs Palin, who lived in Crewe all her life, had five children and nine grandchildren.

Mrs Fletcher added: "She loved meeting people, was very sociable and would go to the tea dances at the Crosville Club. She adored her family."